Two Eids

World

Two Eids
True to its tradition, Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa celebrated Eid a day earlier than the rest of the country. This decision was based on the evidence provided by different people who “sighted” the moon through their naked eyes. These days, astronomers use modern scientific gadgets which can precisely locate the moon and comment on its visibility or otherwise at the time and place in the northern or southern hemisphere. Many Islamic countries around the world are already using this science to ascertain whether the moon can be sighted or not on a particular day. However, the KP government still relies on individuals to make a decision towards this end. Can somebody from the KP government educate the general public how they can bend the laws of physics to achieve this impossible feat?Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A KhanRawalpindi*****Even a cursory look at the moon any time this month will vindicate those of us who celebrated Eid on Friday. I lost all confidence in the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee last year when its pronouncement did not square up with lunar realities. Religious festivals should not be used to shore up national distinctiveness. Mufti Munib and his cohorts should apologise to the whole nation.Ayaz AchakzaiQuetta*****True to its tradition, parts of KPK once again celebrated Eid, due to an edict given by the unofficial provincial Ruet committee, on a day other than the rest of the country solemnised it. Such a practice year after year might appear seemingly harmless but in fact has deep-rooted divisive bodings and premonitions and does not auger well for the solidarity of Pakistan in the long run. This practice must stop. Incidentally, why does this provincial committee disagree on the occasions of Eid only and agrees with the Central Committee’s decision for all other months of the year?Col (r) Riaz Jafri Rawalpindi

True to its tradition, Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa celebrated Eid a day earlier than the rest of the country. This decision was based on the evidence provided by different people who “sighted” the moon through their naked eyes. These days, astronomers use modern scientific gadgets which can precisely locate the moon and comment on its visibility or otherwise at the time and place in the northern or southern hemisphere. Many Islamic countries around the world are already using this science to ascertain whether the moon can be sighted or not on a particular day. However, the KP government still relies on individuals to make a decision towards this end. Can somebody from the KP government educate the general public how they can bend the laws of physics to achieve this impossible feat?Air-Cdre (r) Azfar A KhanRawalpindi*****Even a cursory look at the moon any time this month will vindicate those of us who celebrated Eid on Friday. I lost all confidence in the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee last year when its pronouncement did not square up with lunar realities. Religious festivals should not be used to shore up national distinctiveness. Mufti Munib and his cohorts should apologise to the whole nation.Ayaz AchakzaiQuetta*****True to its tradition, parts of KPK once again celebrated Eid, due to an edict given by the unofficial provincial Ruet committee, on a day other than the rest of the country solemnised it. Such a practice year after year might appear seemingly harmless but in fact has deep-rooted divisive bodings and premonitions and does not auger well for the solidarity of Pakistan in the long run. This practice must stop. Incidentally, why does this provincial committee disagree on the occasions of Eid only and agrees with the Central Committee’s decision for all other months of the year?Col (r) Riaz Jafri Rawalpindi